Katie Couric on Matt Lauer in 2012: He ‘Pinched Me on the Ass a Lot’

Matt Lauer says his farewell to Katie Couric, his exiting co-host of the NBC "Today" telev
AP Photo/Richard Drew

As NBC is reeling over the news of Matt Lauer’s firing for alleged sexual misconduct, an interview from 2012 has surfaced of Katie Couric claiming that her former Today show coworker, Matt Lauer, “pinched” her rear.

Couric, who served as Lauer’s Today show co-host for nine years, sat down with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live in 2012 and made the comments in a segment called “Plead the Fifth,” according to a video posted by TMZ Wednesday.

During the segment, Cohen asked the news anchor about Lauer’s “most annoying habit.”

Couric briefly paused before responding, “He pinches me on the ass a lot,” according to Fox News.

“Wow, I wouldn’t have a problem with that… Katie Couric did not plead the fifth!” Cohen replied.

Couric co-anchored the Today show from 1991 to 2006. Lauer served as her co-anchor beginning in 1997. Couric also co-hosted with Lauer briefly in January while co-anchor Savannah Guthrie was on maternity leave.

NBC News fired Lauer Wednesday morning after receiving a complaint alleging that the former Today show host engaged in sexual misconduct at work.

Lauer’s co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie, and Hoda Kotb, opened Wednesday morning’s program breaking the news of Lauer’s firing.

“For the moment, all we can say is that we are heartbroken,” Guthrie said.

The complaint notes Lauer allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with the female colleague at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

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